MEC Guide tarp

**Bstomper** · 09-18-2014, 20:54

I tried my Mountain Equipment Co-op guide tarp out with my hh exp deluxe and it worked not bad. the only thing I didn't like was how tight it pitched. It is a rectangle tarp so I can't get it to pitch as tight as a cat cut tarp and that kind of bugs me. Maybe with a bit more fiddling around I can get it better. I can completly close off one side but not the other one because of where the tie outs are. If I decide to use it full time I will add some more tie outs so I can completely close it off for bad weather.

**Firesong** · 09-18-2014, 21:29

I have one of those tarps as well. I have been thinking that it would be nice to try making the door style set up. What I was thinking was put a tie out to shorten the ridgeline a bit at the top. Then create some tie outs for the doors.

**PatT** · 09-18-2014, 21:34

I have a MEC Silicon Guide tarp and I get best results when pitching the tarp underneath a continuous ridge line. It is much easier to get it tight when the top center tie-out is supported.

From what I see on your photos, I would be afraid to wear out the contour seams from rubbing on the hammock's suspension.

I had the same problem you have when I tried to close it completely. Instead of adding a tie-out, I simply put a marble on the inside and run a lark's head knot line around it from the outside. After some use this way, I found I often need to move the marble around depending on the pitch and grade of the ground which would not be possible with a tie-out.

I sometimes use the same method for side pull-outs when I need more room.

**Papa Tac** · 09-22-2014, 10:21

Hey Pat, I hang my MEC Scout and Guide tarps on a continuous ridgeline, too. You're right, very snug hung this way.
Thanks for the idea for making doors, will try it out.
Cheers!

**novascotia-hanger** · 09-22-2014, 11:10

Any pics? I do the ridgeline inside of the tarp, would like to see the outside setup.

**Bstomper** · 09-23-2014, 00:09

If you look close in the pictures I have a continuous ridgeline and the tarp is prussiced to the ridgeline. I still like the way the cat cut tarps look like they pitch tighter.